Bottled Beverage Carrying Suitcase System

ABSTRACT

A wine carrying suitcase system comprising spaces with customizable forms comprising customizable cavities to safely transport bottled beverages.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/967,177, entitled “Bottled Beverage Carrying Suitcase System”, filed on Aug. 14, 2013, and the specification and claims thereof are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)

The present invention relates to luggage systems for carrying bottled beverages, particularly to wine carrying suitcases.

2. Description of Related Art

Air travel security constraints require that large quantities of liquid not be transported as carryon items in airplanes. Because a great number of beverage bottles are breakable, and handling of luggage designated as cargo often results in the breaking of beverage bottles in the luggage, there is a need for bottled beverage carrying suitcases that can keep bottles safe and unbroken. Embodiments of the present invention solve this problem by providing bottled beverage carrying suitcase systems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention comprise wine carrying suitcase systems comprising a first and a second shell portions comprising one or more side walls, one or more end walls, a bottom, and an openable top connected to the one or more side walls and the one or more end walls. The first and second shell portions are preferably hingeably connected together. A fastening system is preferably disposed around the edges of the one or more side walls and the one or more end walls, to releaseably join the shell portions. The one or more side walls, one or more end walls, bottoms, and openable tops preferably define at least one independent wine carrying space in each shell portion. Embodiments of the present invention comprise securing straps inside the wine carrying spaces, and bottle accommodating forms comprising independent bottle cavities configured and arranged to safely transport bottles in the wine carrying spaces. Preferably, the bottle accommodating forms are surrounded by one or more form walls, bottoms, and one or more tops.

In one embodiment, one of the shell portions further comprises a telescopic tubular handle assembly. In one embodiment the telescopic tubular handle assembly is reinforced to withstand heavy loads. In one embodiment the first and second shell portions further comprise a wheel skid assembly comprising wheels. In one embodiment, the securing straps inside the wine carrying spaces comprise a fastening system, optionally comprising buckles.

In one embodiment, the openable top comprises a zipper. In one embodiment the two shell portions are fastened with a zipper system. In one embodiment, the bottle cavities are bottle size customizable to diverse bottle neck lengths. In one embodiment, the bottle cavities are bottle size customizable to different bottle widths.

One embodiment of the invention further comprises one or more handles disposed on at least one of said shells. The handles are optionally reinforced to withstand heavy loads.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an accommodating form comprising various segments; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 further comprising a segmented top.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a segmented insert.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a segmented insert in the suitcase.

FIG. 9 is a form that is customizable by the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of embodiments of the invention, not limitation of the invention.

As used throughout this specification and claims, the terms “suitcase” or “luggage” refer to portable cases designed to hold personal or commercial articles for transportation.

Some embodiments of the present invention comprise suitcase systems. Referring now to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-5, bottled beverage carrying suitcase 10 comprises first shell portion 12 and second shell portion 14. Shell portions 12 and 14 comprise one or more side walls 16, one or more end walls 18, bottom 20, and openable top 22. In one embodiment, shell portions 12 and 14 are hingedly connected at one of their side walls 16. Shell portions 12 and 14 preferably comprise a fastening system disposed around edges of side walls 16 and end walls 18, to releaseably join them when suitcase 10 is in the closed configuration. For example, through zipper 13. Optionally, at least one of the shell portions comprises telescopic handle assembly 17. In one embodiment, telescopic handle assembly 17 preferably comprises a tubular structure and can optionally be reinforced. In addition, shell portions 12 and 14 optionally comprise wheel skid assemblies 19 comprising a plurality of wheels 21. The wheels may be removable and replaceable.

Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, openable top 22 is preferably connected to an interior of side walls 16 and end walls 18 and comprises opening/closing mechanism 24, which can optionally be a zipper. Side walls 16, end walls 18, bottoms 20, and openable tops 22 preferably define at least one independent carrying space 26 in each shell portion. Each shell cavity may be of the same depth or of different depth. In one embodiment, spaces 26 comprise securing straps 28, which secure one or more accommodating forms 30. Preferably, straps 28 comprise a fastening system, e.g., buckles 31 and 33, etc. In one embodiment, additional straps 28 are provided, which are preferably attached to the same side of space 26 where straps 28 comprising male buckles 33 are attached. Preferably, the additional straps 28 are adjustable in length and comprise an additional set of female buckles 31 and are disposed under one or more segments 32 (see FIG. 5) of accommodating forms 30. Preferably the additional straps 28 wrap around and secure one or more segments 32.

Referring to FIG. 5, in one embodiment, accommodating forms 30 comprise one of more form segments 32, which in turn preferably comprise cavities 34. In one embodiment, cavities 34 are configured and arranged to safely transport bottles in carrying spaces 26. In one embodiment, cavities 34 are bottle size customizable, e.g., to different neck sizes, etc. Cavities 34 are defined by one or more form walls 36, form bottoms 38, and one or more form tops 40. In one embodiment, form walls 36 and form bottoms 38 are attached. Form top 40, which can optionally be segmented (e.g. three segments, to cover, for example, three segments 32), is preferably detached and covers cavities 34. See FIGS. 5-6. For example, form 30 can be of any shape but is preferably of a shape and size to fit within the carry space 26 of shell of at least one of the shell portions 12 for example if the carry space is about 16.25 inches×23.5 inches, a preferred form for use therein would have dimensions of about 15.75 inches×22.5 inches but is not limited thereto. Form 30 may be segmented into three separate form units with each form unit measuring about 5.25 inches×22.5 inches as measured width to height.

In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise a bottle neck are between approximately 0.1 and approximately 3 inches wide, preferably between approximately 0.5 and approximately 2 inches wide, and most preferably between approximately 1.5 and approximately 0.75 wide. In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise a bottle neck are between approximately 1 and approximately 8 inches in length, preferably between approximately 2 and approximately 7 inches in length, and most preferably between approximately 3 and approximately 6 inches in length. In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise bottle shoulders area between approximately 0.1 and approximately 6 inches wide, preferably between approximately 0.5 and approximately 5 inches wide, and most preferably between approximately 2 and approximately 4 inches wide. In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise bottle base area between approximately 0.1 and approximately 6 inches wide, preferably between approximately 0.5 and approximately 5 inches wide, and most preferably between approximately 2 and approximately 4 inches wide. In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise bottle body area between approximately 2 and approximately 8 inches long, preferably between approximately 3 and approximately 7 inches long, and most preferably between approximately 4 and approximately 6 inches long. In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise total bottle body (body plus neck) area between approximately 3 and approximately 20 inches long, preferably between approximately 5 and approximately 18 inches long, and most preferably between approximately 6 and approximately 15 inches long. In one embodiment, cavities 34 are between approximately 0.1 and approximately 6 inches deep, preferably between approximately 0.5 and approximately 5 inches deep, and most preferably between approximately 1 and approximately 4 inches deep.

In one embodiment, forms 30 comprise three segments 32 and each segment 32 comprises two cavities 34 each, for a total of six cavities 34 in each carrying space 26. In a different embodiment, forms 30 comprise two segments 32 and each segment 32 comprises three cavities 34 to carry the same number of bottles. The number of segments 32 can vary depending of the needs of the users. For example a user may use one to six segments. For example a user may customize the form by tracing the shape of the user's bottle onto a form as illustrated in FIG. 9 and removing the material inside of the tracing lines to produce a customized cavity in the form. Each square represents the area of the form about which is a line such as a score line which may be a cut through the entire form or the cut may only extend to only a limited depth of the form such that a base of the form upon which the bottle rests remains intact. Similarly, additional foam shapes can be inserted into a cavity 32 of form 30 to wedge between the side of the bottle and the side of the cavity 32 of form 30 when the bottle does not touch the sides of the cavity when centered within the cavity. Similarly, segments 32 can have different number of cavities 34, depending on the dimensions of the bottles to be transported. In one embodiment, segments 32 are customizable for different bottles and/or other products. In one embodiment, a fastening system, for example straps 28, is configured and arranged to secure one or more form segments 32. Alternatively, each form segment may have a single cavity or an initial form can have a single cavity to accommodate for example a 750 ml bottle. For example, a user may wish to only carry two out of three form segments 32. In that case, one or more straps 28 comprising, for example, buckles 31 and 33, may be adapted to secure a smaller number of segments 32 through, for example, a system to adjust the length of straps 28. Optionally, additional straps 28 of different lengths are disposed in spaces 26 to secure a smaller number of segments 32. If only two segments are to be used, space within the cavity of the shell not occupied by the form is left available to carry bottle openers, glasses, labels, cold packs, temperature sensing strips etc. Alternatively, a cold pack and/or a temperature sensing strip and/or a temperature recording device which is capable of recording temperature over time may be placed between the lid 40 and form 30. In one embodiment the initial form is unitary and contains a separation line or score line that runs parallel along the length of the form between bottle cavity pairs from top to bottom which score line allows separation along the score line to separate the form into units of a smaller size as is illustrated in FIG. 7. For example, an initial form that holds six bottles can be separated into three separate forms when the initial form is segmented along two score lines (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8) or alternatively a four bottle form can be created if the initial form is separated along one score line and each segment holds two bottles. It is further envisioned that a smaller carry-on size suitcase (of the size permitted on commercial airlines) with inserts would accommodate one or more bottles and would be useful for purchases made at the airport (for example after a security checkpoint) in order to take advantage of duty free or wine shop purchases. The suitcase insert forms are not limited in the number of cavities for carrying items such as bottles and glasses. The suitcase insert in another embodiment may be used to carry other items other than wine bottles.

In a different embodiment, beverage carrying suitcase 10 further comprises outside strap 42 as a safety measure. The suitcase may also include a lock. In one embodiment, strap 42 comprises buckle 43. Preferably, strap 42 goes under handle 46 or next to it so as to not affect its functionality. Optionally, one or more corners are reinforced with covers 44. Preferably, one or more handles 46 are disposed on beverage carrying suitcase 10, which are optionally reinforced to withstand heavy loads. In one embodiment, handles 46 are disposed on the side/end of both shell portions 12. In one example the straps are removeable.

Optionally, embodiments of the present invention are used in conjunction with state of the art luggage tracking technology. For example, in one embodiment, a tracking device capable of tracking and reporting the location of luggage through, for example, GPS and/or ground-based cellular telephone technologies is integrated in bottled beverage carrying suitcase 10.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

Example 1

A wine carrying suitcase system was manufactured. The system comprises two rectangular shell portions. Each shell portion has two side walls, two end walls, a bottom, and an openable top. The openable top is of fabric and is connected to one side wall and includes a zipper around the sides that are not connected to the side wall. The zipper connects the openable top to the inside tops of the end walls and the remaining side wall when the top is in the closed configuration to define two wine carrying spaces (one in each shell portion). The two shell portions are connected, in turn, to each other at one of their side wall portions through hinges. A zipper is disposed around the edges of the remaining side wall and end walls to fasten the suitcase in the closed configuration. Securing straps are disposed inside each wine carrying space. A long set of straps to secure three bottles accommodating forms, and a shorter set of straps for securing one or two bottle accommodating forms. Each bottle accommodating form has three cavities in the shape of a wine bottle. The neck portion of the cavity has spongy material that could optionally be removed to customize the cavity to different bottle neck sizes. The bottle neck part of the cavity is one inch wide and five inches long. A removable one inch long by one inch wide by two inches tall sponge was placed in one end of the neck area to make it four inches long. In this manner, the cavity could accommodate bottles with necks that were either four or five inches long. The bottle body part of the cavity is three inches wide at the bottle shoulders, and three inches wide at the bottle base, and five and a half inches long. The whole cavity is two inches deep. A single top covering all three bottle accommodating forms is provided for each wine carrying space. One shell portion comprised a reinforced a telescopic tubular handle assembly on the outside. Both shell portions comprise reinforced handles on one side and one end for carrying the suitcase. Both shell portions comprise a wheel skid assembly comprising wheels.

The preceding example can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding example.

Note that in the specification and claims, “about” or “approximately” means within twenty percent (20%) of the numerical amount cited.

Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. For example, the suitcase form 30 can accommodate a variety of bottle sizes and the number of units of the segmented form can vary from one or more units that are separately combined inside the suitcase. The suitcase can be made of any material for example 100% polycarbonate shell. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wine carrying suitcase system comprising: a first and a second shell portions comprising one or more side walls, one or more end walls, a bottom, and an openable top connected to said one or more side walls and said one or more end walls; said first and second shell portions hingeably connected together; a fastening system disposed around edges of said one or more side walls and said one or more end walls, to releaseably join said shell portions; said one or more side walls, one or more end walls, bottoms, and openable tops defining at least one independent wine carrying space in each shell portion; securing straps inside said wine carrying spaces; and bottle accommodating forms comprising independent bottle cavities configured and arranged to safely transport bottles in said wine carrying spaces; said bottle accommodating forms surrounded by one or more form walls, bottoms, and one or more tops.
 2. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein one of said shell portions further comprises a telescopic tubular handle assembly.
 3. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 2 wherein said telescopic tubular handle assembly is reinforced to withstand heavy loads.
 4. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said first and second shell portions further comprise a wheel skid assembly comprising wheels.
 5. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said securing straps inside said wine carrying spaces comprise a fastening system.
 6. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 5 wherein said fastening system comprises buckles.
 7. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said openable top comprises a zipper.
 8. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said fastening system is a zipper.
 9. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said bottle cavities are bottle size customizable to different bottle neck lengths.
 10. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said bottle cavities are bottle size customizable to different bottle widths.
 11. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 further comprising one or more handles disposed on at least one of said shells.
 12. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 11 wherein said handles are reinforced to withstand heavy loads. 